Albert Barnes Commentary 1 Corinthians 4:2

"Here, moreover, it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful." — 1 Corinthians 4:2 (ASV)

Moreover, etc. The fidelity required of stewards seems to be alluded to here, in order to show that the apostles acted from a higher principle than a desire to please people, or to be regarded as at the head of a party.

They ought to regard them as bound, like all stewards, to be faithful to the Master whom they served.

It is required, etc. It is expected of them; it is the main or leading thing in their office. In that office, fidelity is eminently required as an indispensable and cardinal virtue.

Fidelity to the master, faithfulness to his trust, is THE virtue especially demanded there. In other offices, other virtues may be particularly required, but here fidelity is demanded.

This is required particularly because it is an office of trust. The master's goods are at the steward's disposal, and there is so much opportunity for the steward to appropriate those goods to his own use, so that his master cannot detect it.

There is a strong similarity between the office of a steward and that of a minister of the gospel. However, it is not necessary here to dwell on the resemblance. The idea of Paul seems to be:

1. That a minister, like a steward, is devoted to his Master's service and should regard himself as such.
2. That he should be faithful to that trust, and not abuse or violate it.
3. That he should not be judged by his fellow stewards or fellow servants, but that his main desire should be to meet with the approval of his Master.

A minister should be faithful for obvious reasons:

1. He is appointed by Jesus Christ;
2. Because he must answer to him;
3. Because the honour of Christ and the welfare of his kingdom are entrusted to him; and
4. Because of the importance of the matter committed to his care; and the importance of fidelity can be measured only by the consequences of his labours to those souls in an eternal heaven or an eternal hell.